Excavations will continue this year in the Rose Garden trench, the site of the west wing of the old house. Further work will be carried out in the wider garden area and in order to focus this work on the most archaeologically rich area we will be conducting large scale geophysical work. The geophysics will be done using the three principle techniques of magnetometry, resistivity & ground penetrating Radar (GPR).

The WEAG team is well versed in their use and are able to cover large areas. For the first time this will also be available to students wishing to attend our training digs. In fact taster week 3 is solely dedicated to teaching those new to the discipline.

Magnetometry is the technique of measuring and mapping patterns of magnetism in the soil. Ancient activity, particularly burning, leaves magnetic traces that show up even today when detected with the right equipment. Buried features such as ditches or pits can show up clearly and give us an image of sub-surface archaeology.

Resistivity is a form of geophysical survey where electrical current is passed through the ground at regular points on a survey grid. Electrical resistance in the soil varies, and is affected by the presence of archaeological features. The patterns of resistance in the soil are recorded, plotted and interpreted. Buried archaeological features with varying moisture content such as ditches and pits (often higher moisture) and stone walls (often lower moisture) stand out compared to the soil around them.

Ground penetrating Radar (GPR) is a variation on conventional Radar, sends a radio signal into the soil which is reflected by variations in density below ground. It is very useful for detecting the structures of buried masonry structures, and can effectively show holes or voids below ground. It is, therefore, valuable in finding buried parts of buildings such as crypts, tombs or cellars, and showing up building foundations. If you wish to try it yourself please come along and have a go. Details and contacts are on the website.

Lee Joyce

Little Acorns… Mighty Oaks

Some few years ago a young lady, at a loose end during a school vacation, was encouraged by a suggestion from Margaret Gervis, our then catering team leader, to enrol on one of our Archaeology Taster Weekends. This seems to have sparked her interest in archaeology to such an extent that she subsequently went on to obtain a First Class Honours degree in the subject from the University of Sheffield, followed by her Masters (with Distinction)

The young lady in question, Emma Hook, is now working for a doctorate funded by the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities. In addition, she now works with other colleagues to promote archaeology to the wider public in Sheffield. The Trust, and all of us, send Emma our congratulations on her achievement. We all have an understandable pride in the fact that we played some small part in such happy outcome.